Toronto, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Ford government to release costing details about its plan to move the Ontario Science Centre to the grounds of the now-shuttered Ontario Place.

“This is a big project and it’s bound to have a huge price tag,” said CTF Ontario Director Jay Goldberg. “The government must have assessed how much fixing the existing site would cost compared to completely relocating the facility. Those numbers should be made public.”

Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma has said that the Ontario Science Centre is in a state of “disrepair” and that major funds would be needed to revitalize the facility. However, the government is also saying the existing facility will remain open for years to come, with new construction at the waterfront not beginning until 2025. That raises major questions about whether simply repairing the existing facility is a viable and more affordable option.

“The Ford government needs to be straight with Ontarians,” said Goldberg. “This plan might make sense of taxpayers, but it could also be a boondoggle in the making.”